Abstract:
The invention provides a method for forming particles of a substance, by co-introducing into a particle formation vessel, in which the temperature and pressure are controlled, of a supercritical fluid; a solution or suspension of the substance in a first vehicle; and a second vehicle which is both substantially miscible with the first vehicle and substantially soluble in the supercritical fluid, in such a way that dispersion of the solution or suspension and the second vehicle, and extraction of the vehicles, occur substantially simultaneously and substantially immediately on introduction of the fluids into the vessel, by the action of the supercritical fluid. Preferably the solution/suspension of the substance is introduced separately from the second vehicle, in such a way that contact between the solution/suspension and the second vehicle occurs either substantially simultaneously with, or immediately before, their dispersion by the supercritical fluid and extraction of the vehicles by the supercritical fluid. The method allows a high degree of control over the size, shape, crystalline form and other physico-chemical properties of the particulate product The invention also provides apparatus for carrying out such a method, using a coaxial nozzle to introduce the fluids into the particle formation vessel, and a particulate product made using the method or the apparatus.
Abstract:
A mixing vessel for a process using supercritical process media, the vessel including an agitator for mixing a batch of materials and a process media in a supercritical state in the vessel to produce a reaction mixture based on a selectable reaction process; and heat transfer system for controlling temperature of the reaction mixture, the heat transfer system comprising a liner that generally conforms to an interior surface geometry of the vessel, with the liner comprising a high thermal conductivity material; the liner comprising an interior heat transfer surface in thermal exchange with the reaction mixture, and a plurality of fluid channels; heat transfer fluid that circulates through the channels and in thermal exchange with the heat transfer surface; and a heat transfer fluid supply exterior the pressure vessel for circulating the heat transfer fluid through the channels.
Abstract:
A system and method for treatment of a feed material includes a reactor chamber in a reactor vessel. The reactor vessel has a longitudinal axis which is vertically oriented so that gravitational forces act generally in a direction along the axis between a top and a bottom of the vessel. A feed material is introduced by a nozzle into the reactor chamber as a jet stream through the top end of the vessel. This jet stream causes back-mixing in the reactor chamber, contributing to rapid initiation of reaction and general down flow of material through the reactor chamber. The material in the reactor chamber can be quenched to dissolve sticky solids in the effluent before the effluent is discharged from the lower end of the vessel. Further, the reactor vessel can include a plug flow section to carry out additional reaction of the feed material.
Abstract:
A method of forming a polyamide from a corresponding nylon salt material comprises providing a reaction mixture comprising a nylon salt and carbon dioxide; and then condensing the nylon salt in the carbon dioxide to form a polyamide and water. A method of forming a polyamide comprises providing a reaction mixture containing at least one lactam monomer and carbon dioxide; and then polymerizing the lactam monomer in the carbon dioxide to form a polyamide.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for heating, reacting, and/or treating a stream containing oxidizable matter. Recycle reactor is used alone or in conjunction with plug-flow reactor. Density differences in the recycle reactor facilitate flow within the recycle reactor without substantial external heat exchange.
Abstract:
A heating pressure processing apparatus in which gas sealing property and safety can be ensured, and economic property can be improved in heating pressure processing of workpieces such as Si wafers sheet by sheet. A processing vessel 1 formed of vessel components 2, 3 is divided into at least two parts or more in the axial direction thereof and has a seal ring 9 provided in the divided parts of the vessel components 2, parts 3 in such a manner as to be replaceable. The vessel components 2, 3 have shaped parts forming a processing space 5 for a workpiece 4 when the divided parts are sealed through the seal ring 9, the vessel components 2, 3 also having cooling means 10 for the seal ring 9. A ram is provided 18 for pressing the vessel components 2, 3 in the axial direction of the vessel in order to ensure the sealing in the divided parts; and a gas introducing device 20 is provided for introducing a pressurized gas to the processing space 5 in order to process the workpiece.
Abstract:
A typical traditional reactor for hydrogenation consists of a tank filled with a liquid and a gas and a small particle catalyst. The reaction is carried out at high pressures and high temperatures. Lack of gas on the catalyst surface limits the velocity of reaction. Much work has been done to increase the quantity of gas on the catalyst. It has not been possible to solve this problem effectively with the techniques of today. According to the invention an extra solvent is added to the reaction mixture. By bringing the whole mixture (solvent, substrate, hydrogen and reaction products) to super-critical or near-critical state, a substantially homogeneous mixture can be obtained. By this method it is possible to control the concentration of gas on the catalyst to the desired level. The velocity of reaction is thereby increased considerably. The hydrogenation reactions principally involved comprise hydrogenation of carbon-carbon double bonds (C.dbd.C) in lipids; hydrogenation of COOR to C--OH and HO--R to produce fatty alcohols; and direct hydrogenation of oxygen to hydrogen peroxide.
Abstract:
A method for spraying starting material particles in a continuous hydrothermal reaction, comprising spraying an aqueous fluid pressurized and heated in excess of the saturated vapor temperature and a starting material slurry pressurized at ordinary temperature. A starting material slurry feed orifice is provided in a central portion of an aqueous fluid spray orifice to spray and mix the aqueous fluid and the staring material slurry. In order to avoid entry of heat into the starting material fluid from the aqueous fluid, a heat-insulating layer is provided between feed paths for the respective two fluids. According to the above method, the starting material slurry is sprayed particularly under subcritical to supercritical conditions beyond the saturated vapor temperature to form fine particles without agglomeration thereof, whereby a hydrothermal reaction can be continuously and efficiently effected.
Abstract:
A precision high-pressure control assembly for supercritical fluids comprises a continuous flow system having a pressure control loop which includes a source of fluid communicating with a piston driven pump. A pressure sensor monitors the pressure of the supercritical fluid in the outlet line of the pump. A pressure controller has an input for receiving a signal relating to the pressure sent by the pressure sensor and the pressure controller yields an electronic output signal to an electropneumatic regulator. A source of air communicates with the electropneumatic regulator to provide pressurized regulated driver air directed to the pump. The electropneumatic regulator controls the regulated driver air pressure of the pump in accordance with the signal received from the pressure controller. The piston head of the pump is in a cryogenic chamber to minimize flash and cavitation.
Abstract:
Fuel, oxidant and reactant for a supercritical water oxidation reactor are fed through an injector in which the flow are arranged such that the oxidant feed surrounds the fuel feed and the shields the fuel feed from the reactant feed. Excessive reactant temperature is thus avoided, and the reaction can proceed in a highly efficient manner.